Presented by:
Rebecca Hastings, SPHR-CA
HR Content Manager
HR Certification Institute
There is no recertification credit awarded for attending this webinar.

Rebecca R. Hastings, SPHR-CA joined the SHRM staff more than 23 years ago as the organization’s second HR person. She earned her PHR in 1993 and her SPHR in 1997. She has worked as an HR knowledge advisor, manager, writer and editor. Soon after earning her SPHR she was asked to participate in the HR Certification Institute’s exam development process, an occasional role she held for many years. She joined the Institute staff as HR Content Manager for the PHR and
SPHR exams in February 2013 and earned her California certification in May 2013. She has a B.S. in business and an
M.S. in training and HR.

• How the exam got started
• Who writes the exam questions?
• Why add the California HR certification to your existing credentials?
• Who has CA certification and Statistics
• Eligibility
• Testimonials
• CA laws vs. Federal laws
• California exam content, information and application steps
• Exam preparation resources
• Recertification requirements
• Financial assistance

In 2006, SHRM’s California State Council asked the Institute to create a new exam because:
• California law typically overrides federal law
• California regulations are frequently revised
• California law is often seen as a predictor of future federal employment law changes
The new California exam was launched in April
2007.
In 2011, the Institute updated the California body of knowledge as needed. Exams administered in May
2013 reflected the results of the latest study.

• Teams of certified HR professionals who have special training in item development write the questions
• Each question passes three levels of review o Item Development o Item Review o Forms Review
• Questions are “pre-tested” before being used as a scored item on the exam

• Proves your expertise on ever-changing laws and regulations
• Gives a distinctive competitive advantage and professional credibility in California HR
• Demonstrates commitment to maintaining knowledge of California laws.
• Assists in job search and business
• Results in recognition from peers and organization
• Creates networking opportunities with other HR professionals

Some of our certified HR professionals who hold the PHR-CA and SPHR-CA credentials work for the following organizations:
• California Chamber of Commerce
• Chevron
• Cirque du Soleil
• Comcast
• Ernst & Young
• Kaiser Permanente
• LinkedIn
• Northrop Grumman
• Paychex
• Pfizer
• Qualcomm
• United Airlines

92% agreed that “HR professionals who practice human resources or do business in California need to master
California-specific HR laws and regulations”
68% saw California certification as positive or something that is necessary to practice HR in California
65% agreed that California-certified HR employees are better prepared than non-certified to affect noticeable decreases in litigation/ legal action
63% of employers who participated said that a Californiacertified applicant would have a hiring advantage over a non-certified applicant, with all things being equal
*Based on the 2011 California Certification Research Study.

• Must hold a current PHR or SPHR certification
• Be practicing in or have HR responsibilities in the state of California
• Have to maintain PHR/SPHR certification to maintain the California credential
California certification exam is separate from PHR or SPHR exam.

“I decided to earn the SPHR-CA certification to set myself apart from those who aren’t certified. The SPHR credentials validate that
I am a strategic partner in the organization while the California certification speaks to my familiarity of California HR laws.”
– Kristi West, SPHR-CA, GPHR
“Business leaders look for the California certification as one’s validation of expertise in California employment law. Recently I changed jobs, and in the middle of this economic downturn, I had four job offers to choose from. I attribute this to my certifications, particularly my California certification.”
– Annette Snyder, SPHR-CA, GPHR

Different from Federal Law
• Kin care
• Employment Development Department (EDD) requirements
• Required supervisory training for sexual harassment prevention
• California WARN
• Cal/OSHA
• California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
• Proposition 65
• Cal-COBRA
• California Consumers Reporting Act (CCRA)

Exam Content Areas
20%
12%
22%
46%
Compensation/Wage and
Hour
Employment and
Employee Relations
Benefits and Leaves of
Absence
Health, Safety and
Workers' Compensation

Contents
Fees
Pass Rates
Format
Duration
Application Dates
California Exam (PHR-CA/SPHR-CA)
California laws & practices
325 USD (non-member)/ 275 USD (association member)
52 –72%
125 multiple-choice questions
2 hours & 15 minutes
WINTER
Early registration period: July 15 –October 16, 2013
Late registration period: October 17 –November 8, 2013
Exam Periods SPRING
May 1 –31
WINTER
December 1 –31

Step 1 » Go to hrci.org
Log in with your HRCI ID and password.
Step 2 » Complete application and payment
Check the field within your online profile that you would like to apply for the California certification exam. Since you hold a current PHR or SPHR certification, you will not need to submit documents to prove your eligibility.
Step 3 » Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter
Step 4 » Schedule Your Exam
Step 5 » Take Exam
Step
6 » Receive Results

CA Body of Knowledge
FREE
Get familiar with the bodies of knowledge (www.hrci.org).
Official CA Certification Guide
$
Available for PHR
®
, SPHR
® and GPHR
®
SHRM Store and leading book stores.
exams. Purchase from
Consists of actual retired exam questions.
Assess your level of HR knowledge and experience.
Test-Your-Knowledge Quizzes
FREE
10-question quiz with answers and rationale (www.hrci.org).
Social Networks
FREE
Approach our groups on LinkedIn, Facebook and SHRM
Connect to form study groups or to ask for preparation tips.

Local SHRM Chapters
$
Contact your local SHRM Chapters. They often form study groups or classes to help members prepare for certification exams.
College/University Sponsored Courses
Visit www.shrm.org for more information.
$
Certification Preparation Courses
$
SHRM has numerous certification preparation courses or search online for other providers of certification preparation courses.

You can earn California recertification credits (as well as general, international and business management & strategy credits) through the following activities:
• Continuing Education
• Instruction
• On-the-job
• Research and Publishing

You must continue to maintain your current PHR or SPHR certification through recertification.
If you are PHR-CA certified:
• 15 of the 60 recertification credit hours must be
California specific
If you are SPHR-CA certified:
• 15 of the 60 recertification credit hours must be
California specific
• 15 of the 60 recertification credit hours must be
Business Management and Strategy specific

SHRM Foundation
80 certification scholarships (worth USD 750 each) are available for SHRM members.
Your Employer
Many organizations reimburse the HR certification exam fees through employee assistance or professional development programs.
Local SHRM Chapters
Many local SHRM chapters offer their own certification scholarships. Check with the chapter in your area for more details.

• Why do I need my PHR or SPHR to take the
California certification exam?
• Do I get to use both my credentials e.g. SPHR,
SPHR-CA, if I pass the exam?
• Do I have to pay for the entire exam if I am unsuccessful in my attempt?
• If only 100 questions are scored, why are there
125 questions on the examination?
• Will the exam contain local or public only employment laws and regulations?

• If I have a SPHR and GPHR and I pass the CA exam, how does recertification work for me?
• Can you share your exam preparation experience?
• I was unsuccessful with my PHR-CA exam attempt last year. I plan to take it again this year, will the learning materials I bought last year still be valid?

• When you prorate the CA hours, will you still have to get all 60 units to recertify?
• It's very rare that I see offerings of HRCI credits that are good for CA recertification. How challenging is it to meet the recertification requirements?
• Does obtaining the CA certification re-start the 3 year certification window? Or do you remain on your current certification schedule?
• I have a lifetime SPHR and I am not required to submit hours for recertification. How many hours would I need to submit for recertification?

• Question: When (yes, I mean When) you pass the CA, which certification date matters - the PHR or the CA, or both separately?
• My SPHR expires in 2015. If I test and pass in December, will my SPHR still expire in 2015 and will I need to add continuing education credits to maintain my certification through 2015?
• Could you clarify- did you say that the test will only refer to
California laws?
• Will the CA certification move from PHR to SPHR? I have
PHR now and plan to take the SPHR soon, but if I take/pass the CA exam now will it transfer to my SPHR if I pass that exam?

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